Why foreign policy takes a backseat for Thai political parties

[webfact]

 

By Thai PBS World’ Regional Desk

 

Thailand’s major political parties have been paying lip service to foreign policy and its great importance to Thailand, but not many of them are highlighting their policies as part of their party platforms in the 2023 election campaign.

 

The view among politicians is that statements on foreign policy, no matter how relevant or important to the national interest, are not seductive enough to woo the voters.

 

The Foreign Ministry also is normally of limited relevance, as politicians prefer economy-related ministries such as Commerce and Transport to implement their policies and meet voters’ demands, if not create projects for their personal interests.

 

Pheu Thai’s poll plank

 

Of the major political parties running in the May election, only Pheu Thai Party has taken the initiative to showcase its foreign policy on the party’s official website. The party has pledged to push for a leading role for Thailand in international forums in a bid to generate income from greater trade, investment and tourism to the country.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/why-foreign-policy-takes-a-backseat-for-thai-political-parties/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2023-04-01

 

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[ikke1959]

Thailand is for Thai only, and foreigners are only good to send their money in businesses or tourists... In the world Thailand is not big player. 

[nigelforbes]

1 minute ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand is for Thai only, and foreigners are only good to send their money in businesses or tourists... In the world Thailand is not big player. 

I actually sort of agree with you, for once.

[VinnieK]

You need a basic understanding of geography..for starters.

Xenophobia doesn't help either.

I doubt any Thai prime minister ,past present or future, can correctly name all ASEAN leaders. ????‍♂️????‍♂️

 

[KhunLA]

Thailand being almost self sufficient, doesn't need a foreign policy.  Better not to have one, as don't get caught up in other countries' silliness.

 

TH can feed itself, probably energize itself without tourist & develop more solar & hydro.

 

China's manufacturing and they don't really need anyone else.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Of the major political parties running in the May election, only Pheu Thai Party has taken the initiative to showcase its foreign policy on the party’s official website. The party has pledged to push for a leading role for Thailand in international forums in a bid to generate income from greater trade, investment and tourism to the country.

Which is why they are going to win.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Thailand is for Thai only, and foreigners are only good to send their money in businesses or tourists... In the world Thailand is not big player. 

Thailand in the great scheme of things.

[Srikcir]

Let me help with a simple foreign policy that has more to do with domestic policy:

• become a participant to the 1951 Refugee Convention,
• formalize protections for asylum seekers condistentbwith the UNHRC, and
• do what's necessary to be upgraded from "B status" to "A status" accreditation by the UNHRC.

[zzaa09]

6 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Thailand being almost self sufficient, doesn't need a foreign policy.  Better not to have one, as don't get caught up in other countries' silliness.

 

TH can feed itself, probably energize itself without tourist & develop more solar & hydro.

 

China's manufacturing and they don't really need anyone else.

Yep...

You might be offending those that clearly don't understand these things.

[KhunLA]

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Thailand in the great scheme of things.

If every country simply worried about themselves, I would be a better world. IMHO

 

Unfortunately, the elite, want to control everything & anything they think they can profit from.

 

Think:

... central banking

... arms sales

... FTA

... Kyoto BS

... etc etc etc

[dirtybirty]

come on we all know thailand is the center of the universe, they can't even sort their own s;#t out let alone foreign policy <deleted>

[zzaa09]

12 hours ago, KhunLA said:

If every country simply worried about themselves, I would be a better world. IMHO

 

Unfortunately, the elite, want to control everything & anything they think they can profit from.

 

Think:

... central banking

... arms sales

... FTA

... Kyoto BS

... etc etc etc

There's truly only a couple of countries that find it necessary to control, meddle and create a wide path of nastiness.

I might say that most of the world does mind it's own business, largely - but because of the intentional interference from these couple of power states......the value of self determination becomes moot.

[herfiehandbag]

 

There is relatively little potential in " foreign affairs" for the " management" of valuable budgets, and the construction ( inevitably linked) of a personal political powerbase and alliances.

 

Therefore there is little interest in it. 

 

The government controlled broadcast media largely ignore it.

 

Educational curriculums largely ignore it.

 

A reflection of the venality of the political classes rather than a reflection of the true interests of the population. 

 

 

[sammieuk1]

Who cares about any foreign policy its foreign currency Swiss banking and London property market at these parties ????